The way these services work is to take advantage of the DVD format, which creates a durable, lightweight product that is cheap and easy to mail.
Toys aren't as easy to mail as lightweight DVDs, so I'm sure your reindeer could provide an advantage – if they're up for working year round.
While savings can be realized for using the services in volume, it's none too easy to mail in volume.
The Movie Gallery and its much larger rival Blockbuster — another 1980s relic — are up against the appeal of easy-to-mail DVDs and improved Internet connections.
Because talking is more expensive than sending data, Mr. Wakabayashi now spends about $30 less a month than he did with his older, slower service because 3G makes it easier to send e-mail messages to friends instead of calling.
For those concerned that Microsoft's Windows interface is too daunting for elders, Big Screen Live (bigscreenlive.com) simplifies the standard interface, making it easier to send e-mail messages, surf the Web, share photos, shop online or play games.
"It would have been easier to send an e-mail," Rolin said.
It also connects to Facebook and will use your friend's list to help you tag people in your photos, and makes it easier to post and e-mail pictures.
At Novica, Rob Milk, a founder, asserted that his site's prices were lower than those of other sites: the company's dozen regional offices, he said, make it easier for artisans to mail and store their objects.
